How To Modify DNS Settings? [Detailed Guide]

The DNS (Domain Name System) plays a crucial role in the Internet’s framework, facilitating user access to websites. DNS servers translate domain names to IP addresses, making visiting websites simpler for a browser. However, you should modify DNS settings to improve internet security and speed.

Key Takeaways

• DNS is the internet’s phonebook, which translates a domain name and converts it to an IP address.
• Modifying DNS settings are sometimes necessary for improved security and speed of the connection.
• You can modify DNS in any device by the Network, change DNS1 as the primary and DNS2 as the secondary addresses, and Save the settings.

What Are DNS And IP Addresses?

Domain names are converted into IP addresses through DNS (Domain Name System), the internet’s phonebook.

Every device and network has a unique identifier for communication to the internet, known as an IP address, a special set of digits. It is always a four-set number combination separated by dots, such as 192.168.1.1. Before proceeding further, you might be interested in reading about how to clear DNS cache.

What Do DNS Servers Do?

We use domain names that are easy and memorable to browse, such as google.com or gmail.com, but devices only understand numerical addresses to communicate. The DNS converts humanly written or chosen domain names to IP addresses to break this deadlock.

Your home network often uses a DNS Server provided by your ISP. When a server receives a domain name from your browser, it starts a complex interaction with other servers to return a validated IP address. If the domain is often visited, the DNS Server stores the information as caches to access it quickly.

Which Third-Party DNS Server Should You Use?

Google Public DNS, Cisco OpenDNS, and Cloudflare are three of the finest choices if you are looking for a third-party DNS server.

Google’s Public DNS

Given how simple it is to remember, Google’s Public DNS is the most used worldwide. It also keeps a log of the IP addresses for up to 2 days for diagnostic purposes. Sometimes, the logs stay long; however, Google’s database contains no personal information.

• Primary Address: 8.8.8.8
• Secondary Address: 8.8.4.4

Cloudflare

The privacy and internet speed that Cloudflare provides make it another well-liked option. It assures that the company will not log your data or your IP address unless you do it, and data keeps deleting every 24 hours.

• Primary Address: 1.1.1.1
• Secondary Address: 1.0.0.1

Cisco OpenDNS

OpenDNS‘ default feature is that it keeps filtering phishing websites, and you can also set up parental controls at no cost through its website. Additionally, OpenDNS provides paid services with various benefits, such as one-year activity history access.

• Primary Address: 208.67.222.123
• Secondary Address: 208.67.220.123

How To Modify DNS Settings

The following are the methods that can help you modify DNS settings. 

On Windows 10

Via Settings

One way to modify DNS in Windows 10 is through the system’s settings. Here’s how:

1. Launch Settings and opt for the Network & Internet section.

   

2. Move to Wi-Fi or Ethernet and choose the network connecting your system to the internet.

   

3. Click on Edit next to the IP settings.

   

4. Choose the Manual option from the drop-down under Edit IP settings.
5. Activate the toggle switch for IPv4.
6. Now go to the Preferred DNS server tab and verify the primary address.
7. If you’re willing to use Google DNS or OpenDNS, then here are the DNS settings:
   • Google DNS: 8.8.8.8
   • Cisco OpenDNS: 208.67.222.222

     

8. If you’re using any other DNS server, then put the address for that one.
9. Now, open “Alternate DNS server” and enter the secondary DNS address. You can use the secondary address from the same company you used for your primary address:
   • Google DNS: 8.8.4.4
   • Cisco DNS: 208.67.220.220
10. Choose Save from the menu and restart your system to apply the IP address change properly.

You can now run your system’s internet through the new DNS settings.

Via Command Prompt

You can also modify DNS settings in Windows 10 through this method:

1. Click on Type here to search at the bottom of the window and type Command Prompt.
2. Right-click the first result and opt for “Run as administrator.

   

3. To launch the utility for changing network settings, type: netsh and click enter on the keyboard.
4. To identify network adapters, type: interface show interface and hit Enter.
5. For modifying the primary address, type: interface ip set dns name= “DNS-Server-Name” source= “static” address= “X.X.X.X.”
6. Fill in the details in this command as per your requirement, such as DNS-Server-Name to Google Public DNS or Cloudflare DNS or any other, whichever you want to keep, and the same goes for X.X.X.X, keep the IP address of the same server.
7. The settings would be:
   • Cloudflare: 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1
   • Google Public DNS: 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4
8. If you are willing to keep the settings for Google DNS, set the parameters as follows:
   interface ip set dns name=”Ethernet1″ source=”static” address=”1.1.1.1″.
9. For secondary or alternate IP address, type: interface ip add dns name= “DNS-Server-Name” addr= “X.X.X.X” index=2.
10. Fill this command with the same DNS you entered above, then put the secondary address of the same server in addr and keep the index 2.

    

Note: You can add more addresses by repeating the above instructions, but the index option will be increased by 1 every time. You will keep it index=3 if you’re adding a 3rd address.

After this process, you can run your system with the modified DNS settings.

On Windows 11 Via Control Panel

You can modify the DNS setting on Windows 11 using Control Panel by the following instructions:

1. Access the Control Panel and click on the Network and Internet.
2. Opt for the View Network Connection.

   

3. Now, at the left of the screen, you will find Change adapter settings which you need to open.
4. Choose Properties from the context menu when you right-click the active network interface.

   

   Note: The labels Disabled and Network cable unplugged won’t be present on an adapter if connected to the network.

5. The Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) option can be chosen, and also do a check on it.

   

6. Choose Properties from the menu and hit Use following DNS Server addresses.
   Note: The computer will continue to receive its TCP/IP address from the router’s DHCP server even if you manually enter the DNS settings.
7. Type the primary DNS address in the Preferred DNS server tab. Below are the settings for using Google Public DNS or Cloudflare.
   • Public DNS for Google: 8.8.8.8
   • Cloudflare 1.1.1.1

     

8. Put the secondary DNS address in case the primary DNS is unreachable; the system will need an alternative address. Click on the Alternate DNS server and type down the secondary address for the server you have used for the primary address or use the one for the above settings.
   • Public DNS for Google: 8.8.4.4
   • Cloudflare: 1.0.0.1

For more advanced settings, follow the instructions:

1. Move to Advanced from the menu and click on the DNS tab.
2. Go to Add and type down additional DNS server addresses.
3. Click OK to save the changes and then hit Close.

Note: The DNS server’s priority can be modified or deleted, and other addresses can be added.

Your system will adapt the new DNS settings as soon as you finish.

On A Mac

To modify DNS settings on a Mac, follow this quick guide:

1. Click on the Apple icon on the screen and launch System Preferences from there, then click on Network.

   

2. Now, choose the connection you wish to modify the DNS server. The left sidebar displays all of your network connections. Your Mac’s connection will have a green circle, while others will have a red circle.

   

3. After choosing the connection, go to the Advanced tab.
4. Click the + icon after opening the DNS server tab.
5. Now type a DNS address, and make sure to enter both primary and secondary addresses for the server you are willing to use to avoid any disruption, as sometimes the primary address goes missing.

   

6. Click OK, and you will see the Network screen again.
7. Now click Apply, which will save the modifications and make them effective.

   

If there are any greyed-out entries in the DNS Servers list, those are dedicated to your other devices and can’t be deleted. However, entries can be replaced after adding new ones. You can also drag the DNS addresses to change the order or delete them by clicking the minus sign at the bottom of the window.

Through Router

One of the best methods to modify DNS settings for all the devices in your home in one go is to change it in your router. Here’s how:

1. Login to your router’s firmware.
2. Go to the Network or Internet settings and search for the DNS addresses section. Select Manually assign the address as the default setting is configured to obtain the addresses from your ISP.
3. Open DNS settings and type the primary and secondary addresses for the server you wish to use.

   

4. Now click OK to Apply the new settings.

In case you are having any problems with it, you can try power cycling your internet router. 

On An Android Phone Or Tablet

You can modify your DNS server on Android, but only for some of the systems. Connection to each Wi-Fi network has its settings, and you must modify it for each Wi-Fi network you join. Here is how:

1. Open your phone Settings.
2. Go to Wi-Fi, then tap and hold the network to which your device is connected.
3. Select Manage Network Settings to change the DNS server setting.

   

4. Change the IP settings from the default DHCP to Static by tapping the button. If you’re having difficulty locating this setting, you may need to access the Advanced section.

   

5. As the IP address is automatically obtained from the DHCP server, don’t alter it. The DNS1 and DNS2 fields should be filled with the primary and backup DNS server addresses.
6. Tap on Save, and the settings will apply immediately.

On An iPhone Or iPad

You can modify your DNS server settings on iPhone and iPad but can only partially do it. The only possibility to change the settings is to do it for every Wi-Fi network you use.

1. Open iOS Settings.
2. To change the settings for a network, access Wi-Fi and tap the ‘ i ‘ icon next to it.

   

3. Scroll down and choose DNS, then press Configure DNS.

   

4. Choose Manual and tap the red minus sign next to any DNS server addresses you want to delete.

   

5. To add new DNS server addresses, add the green + symbol.

   

6. Now enter your preferred DNS server details here; you can add IPv4 and IPv6 addresses and tap on Save to change the settings.

You can always tap Automatic to go back to the default settings.

On A Chromebook

Chrome OS also includes this feature, but you can modify the DNS server for individual networks, similar to Android and iPhone devices. If you want a different DNS server to be active anywhere you go, you must modify it for each Wi-Fi network you join.

1. Open Chromebook Settings and jump to Wi-Fi.

   

2. Select the network you’re currently connected using.
3. The Name server will be in the Network; click on it.

   

4. If you prefer Google Public DNS servers, click Google name servers in the Automatic name servers. Otherwise, click Custom name servers if you use different DNS server settings.

   

5. Fill in the boxes with the DNS servers, and you need to repeat this for every Wi-Fi network in which you want to modify DNS settings.

Ending Remarks

Your internet connection speed and security can be improved by changing your DNS settings. Understanding DNS servers’ functions and their importance to the internet is essential. Modifying DNS settings is a quick and easy process that only requires a few simple steps, and we have covered this for almost every device in this guide.

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